Sunday, 10 January 2010

First Brew

Finally we have brewed our first batch of beer - Redemption Pale Ale. The brew went relatively well apart from one of the heaters on the copper not operating at full strength due to a fuse blowing, but we still managed to achieve a decent roiling boil, just not as quickly as we would have liked. We got a slightly lower extract from our malt than we hoped for, but should be able to improve on that with the next brew as we manage the runoff a little better and avoid keeping our malt in the coldest part of the brewery! The wort took three and a half days to ferment and is presently cooling until it will be moved into conditioning tank later today. The yeast took a bit of time to get going but then went into overdrive so it will no doubt take a few more brews to manage our fermentation more smoothly. We easily skimmed off 20lbs of yeast to be repitched with next weeks brew.

The big question now is whether the beer will be up to scratch. So many variables can have subtle impacts on both the flavour and the quality of the beer and I imagine it will take a good few brews before the whole process is running as smoothly as it should do. Technically it should be a decent beer but the proof will be in the tasting.

Real Ale in Tottnum? I never thought I'd see the day! Please let us thirsty folk of N17 know which pubs are stocking your brews. The Oakdale may be keen to try some out..... Best wishes for your new venture!

The United Services Club in Egham Surrey (finalist in CAMRA Club of the Year 2009) is holding a beer festival 1st-4th April and would certainly be interested in getting hold of the new Pale Ale plus any others in the pipeline. See www.eusc.co.uk or www.eghambeerfestival.co.uk for details of previous festivals, photos etc plus the rolling beer list at the club since 2 years ago (approaching 400!!). Collection is a possibility. Richard (secretary) always tries to stress new breweries/new beers where possible.

Had copious glases of both your pale ale and the urban dusk last night at The Gunmakers and enjoyed them both. I thought the Pale Ale was nice and zesty - perfect for a light summertime lunchtime pint. But in this weather i was all over the Urban Dark - more of an evening session beer and really quite morish. Had a decent depth and good taste to it. Stood up well to the Steak Sarnie i had too. Looking forward to the next set of brewings and will keep my eye's peeled for it in the pubs.

I also tried the Pale Ale and Urban Dusk at the Gunmakers, and thought that both were excellent. I started off on the Pale Ale to quench my thirst, and moved onto the Urban Dusk later on. I look forward to trying more very soon! You have brewed two *excellent* beers.

Getting the beer on in Haringey let alone N17 will be a struggle;the area is not replete with free houses that sell real ale; Three Compasses in Hornsey High St might be worth a go at least as an occasional outlet; otherwise might be worth badgering The Rochester in neighbouring N16 [albeit a Spoons with tough trading terms] which is currently featuring Brentwood as a local brewery- Keith Flett

Tom, thanks for the kind comments about the beers, will do our best to keep them in top form!

Keith, yes you are right about that! I will try and find some pubs that are local - I tried the Elbow Room but the very nice landlady said we would need to go through Barracuda Pub Company, so maybe one for the future. The Ponders End Allotment club just off the Hertford road have taken some beer along with our spent grains and hops for composting.

We usually pop down to the cask marque'd Anchor & Hope (in Clapton) - Fullers, but they always have guest beers on (and sometimes not their own!) Or (again, not actually N17) the Rose and Crown in Stoke Newington has good beers and a new landlord who seems to be interested in them.

I'm disappointed that the Oakdale weren't interested, and the only other place hereabouts that sells bitter is the Ferry Boat - which is part of the M&B empire. That'll be harder than Barracuda.

The Fountain has taps but never anything on them, and I have seen Pride in the Beehive (but no-one apart from us drinking it). Mannions Prince Arthur, maybe?

Andy,I've seen the documentary evidence of young Mr. Dempsey's visit to your establishment. He is singing the praises of your Urban Dusk on this side of the pond. When you are ready for international expansion, you'll have the spokesperson in place. Good luck with the new venture, I am reliably told it is an excellent product.

Thoroughly enjoyed a pint of Redemption Pale Ale earlier this evening in the Bree Louise @ Euston where they also had Urban Dusk but I had to dash so could not try that one too. So, a return visit beckons.

Very pleasant surprise to find another new London-based microbrewery selling cool new brews.

About Us

The Redemption Brewing Company is a small brewery based in North London. We are passionate brewers of cask conditioned ale. This blog will describe the highs and lows of running a brewery and the challenges involved in producing great beer.